The Village of Foynes

Discover a beautiful place steeped in Irish history and tradition.

Foynes Village

Founding of Foynes

At less than two centuries old, Foynes is a young town by Irish standards.

As a port, Foynes was first formally surveyed by J.F. Burgoynes, Harry D. Jones, and Richard Griffith. In reporting to the houses of Parliament at Westminster in 1837 in the second enquiry of the Commissioners for the Improvement of the River Shannon, they pinpointed what would become Foynes proper and made detailed recommendations for its development.

The plans carried an estimated cost of £8,500 and incorporated tidal charts, soundings, and other maritime statistics. And so it was that the Foynes port came into being, and the village’s development followed naturally.

Some History

The terminal building at Foynes Airport (1937–1945) was formerly the Monteagle Arms Hotel. Built in the 1860s on land leased from the Monteagle Estate, it was Foynes’ first public bar and hotel, and later the first headquarters for aviation in Ireland. It was also the headquarters of the Foynes Port Company and presently houses the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum.

In 1938, the Department of Transport acquired the building by means of a Compulsory Purchase Order. The village had a population of 500 people, but many more moved in to operate the airport. Foynes had no hotels, guesthouses, or B&Bs at the time. Senior personnel stayed at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare or in Limerick City. Rates for hotels ranged from 25 to 40 shillings per day, including all meals for two adults, but most workers wanted something local and needed something more affordable.

Some rented accommodations in the village. A Nissan Hut converted for lodgings cost 30 shillings per week, while wages at that time for passenger services personnel were £3.5 shillings.

Local women decided that renting rooms would provide a good income, so they took in paying boarders. After a while, the street was lined with hotel signs. Some of the notable ones included The Crystal Palace Hotel with four rooms to rent and the Uneeda Hotel. Surrounding villages began doing likewise.

Foynes Today

The lovely village of Foynes is located along the stunning N69 Scenic Route on the banks of the Shannon Estuary on the Wild Atlantic Way. Known as “The home of the first Irish coffee,” the quaint village is pleasant to stroll around. After investigating Foynes, drive west on the N69 for stunning views of the Shannon.

Local Resources

Coillte Wood: Around Foynes is more than 17 acres of mixed woodland, located on the banks of the majestic River Shannon. The woodland once comprised a fragment of the 6,500-acre Monteagle Estate, the main family seat being at nearby Mount Trenchard. Remnants of the estate can still be seen in the form of old carriage paths, stone walls, and the Lady’s Gate at the property’s eastern access point.

Explore twisty paths and enjoy fantastic estuary vistas. The picnic area beside the parking lay-by includes a special adapted picnic table for wheelchairs.

For history buffs, take some time to imagine the transatlantic flying boats landing in Foynes around the time of World War II. Luminaries passing through on these flying boats included John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt. Across the estuary are views of Foynes Island, former home of the famous mariner and circumnavigator Conor O’ Brien. The Foynes deepwater seaport, one of the busiest ports in Ireland, is also nearby.

Although relatively small, this is a unique site that offers visitors an opportunity to escape and soak up what nature has to offer.

If you plan to stay a few days in or around Foynes, Booking.com offers ideas and detailed information on area hotels and B&Bs to suit every taste. Customize your search with several filters and compare hotel prices to find the perfect place for your getaway.